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USA & Caribbean - Weather & Climate
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Weather in the Caribbean
Apart from the Bahamas, most of the other Caribbean countries are located in the tropical zone and usually experience warm, humid conditions. The region experiences the northeasterly trade winds, which brings moisture from the Atlantic Ocean. Temperatures in the region are not significantly variable as they range from around 28 degrees Celsius in the hotter months (July-August) to around 24 degrees Celsius in the cooler months (January-February).
The annual temperature variation in the countries of the Southern Caribbean is less than that which characterizes those of the Northern Caribbean. Typically temperatures are lowest just before sunrise, rising steeply during mid-morning and maintaining that level until mid- to late afternoon. After about 10 pm, temperatures fall steadily until sunrise. During the 'winter' season, which coincides with the North American winter, there is a significant reduction in temperature in the northern Caribbean especially the Bahamas, Cuba and Jamaica. As is to be expected, temperatures decline with increasing elevation. Fairly cold temperatures have been experienced in the high altitude areas of Jamaica, like the Blue Mountains.
The Caribbean region typically experiences stormy weather, called hurricanes. These weather patterns are usually formed close to the coast of West Africa and move westwards to the Caribbean. The hurricane season falls between June and November. However, most hurricanes tend to form during the month of September.
The number of hurricanes varies annually from as few as two to as many as twelve. Hurricane weather is usually variable ranging from very low to heavy rainfall. Hurricane wind speeds tend to be fairly severe, often traveling at more than 100 k.p.h. Hurricane tracks typically move across the Caribbean towards Southern USA and Mexico. However, they may change both their direction of movement and wind speed without warning.
High Season: Late June - August; Christmas and New Year's weeks; February through mid-April
The two main groups of cruisers sailing in the peak season are families off from school and Americans form the North seeking a respite from the cold. People looking for peace and quiet away from children and crowds will want to avoid break weeks like the plague, as ships are at their highest capacity, which means crowded ports and long waits for tendering as those of us with small children coax them along.
Low Season: Late April - May; September - early January (excluding holiday weeks)
One of the biggest benefits of some of these months is the great weather and smaller crowds, usually at hundreds less per person than you'd pay at peak times. Hurricane season (June - November) still poses a threat; if one is brewing somewhere in Florida or the Caribbean, it can mean a change in ports of call as the ship alters course to avoid the storm. It can also mean a challenge getting to ports of embarkation that happen to be in the hurricane belt.
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